Tiger Woods News: Former World No. 1 Hopes to Play at Masters in Two Weeks

Former world No. 1 Tiger Woods admitted that he continues to struggle with back issues, but he is hoping to play at the Masters in two weeks. The 41-year-old Woods has not played a golf tournament since he pulled out of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic on Feb. 3 due to back pains.

Woods has until the first day of the Masters on Thursday, April 6 to decide whether he is playing. Past champions of the Masters are invited to participate for life and there is no commitment deadline.

"God, I hope so," Woods said when asked during a television interview if he would be able to play in the upcoming Masters. "I'm trying. I'm trying every day to get back and play."

In his first public appearance since the tournament in Dubai, Woods appeared on television to promote his new book entitled "The 1997 Masters: My Story.'' Woods said that he loves the Masters because it was the first major he played back in 1995.

Woods also won his first major at Augusta National by a record 12 shots at age 21. "It has so much history and meaning to me that I'd love to get back," he said.

Woods, who is attempting to recover from two back surgeries in 2015 that led to a 17-month layoff, admitted that he needs to get back physically to be in competitive shape. After he pulled out in Dubai, Woods also withdrew from three other events.

Citing multiple sources, Golf Digest reported Friday that Woods is doubtful to play at the Masters in three weeks. The report added that Woods has not been able to play or practice since withdrawing from the Dubai Desert Classic last month because of back spasms.

However, Woods' agent, Mark Steinberg, disputed the report. Steinberg said no decision has been made and that he and Woods are "not in a situation to even talk about playing in the Masters now."

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